Perennial flowers are a great way to add color to your garden that will last all summer. Here are some of the best blue perennial flowers to add to your garden.
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Types of Blue Perennial Flowers
Perennial flowers are those that come back year after year and bloom for an extended period of time. Many of these flowers are low-maintenance, which makes them ideal for gardeners who don’t want to spend a lot of time tending to their plants. So, if you’re looking for some beautiful blue perennial flowers that will bloom all summer long, read on.
Delphinium
Delphiniums are classic tall blue perennials that are perfect for the back of the border. They have tall spires of blue, purple, white, or pink flowers that bloom in early to midsummer. Delphiniums prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are fairly drought tolerant once established.
Salvia
A staple of cottage gardens, Salvia is a genus of annuals, biennials, and perennials in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Most salvias are native to the Americas, with a few species found in Africa and Asia. Many salvias are grown for their ornamental flowers, which range in color from blue to purple to red, and bloom throughout summer and fall. The following are some of the most popular varieties of blue salvia.
-Salvia clevelandii: Also known as blue sage or Cleveland sage, this drought-tolerant variety is native to California. It grows up to 3 feet tall and produces deep blue flowers from May to November.
-Salvia farinacea: A native of Mexico, this species grows up to 2 feet tall and produces sky blue flowers from May to October. It is also known as mealycup sage or mealy sage.
-Salvia guaranitica: A tropical species that is native to South America, this plant can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has long been cultivated in Europe and North America for its ornamental flowers, which bloom from June to September and range in color from light blue to violet. It is also known as anise-scented sage or guaraná sage.
-Salvia nemorosa: A European native, this perennial can grow up to 18 inches tall and produces violet-blue flowers from May to July. It is also known as woodland sage or common sage.
Russian Sage
Russian sage is a perennial flower that blooms all summer. The flowers are a deep blue color and the plant grows to be about 3 feet tall. Russian sage is a drought-tolerant plant, making it a good choice for gardens in dry climates.
Phlox
Phlox are a classic choice for the garden with their showy clusters of blooms in a wide range of colors. Phlox paniculata ‘David’ is a tall variety that produces deep blue flowers. ‘Robert Poore’ is another excellent tall phlox with lavender-blue blooms. ‘Bright Eyes’ is a shorter phlox that has white flowers with a magenta eye.
Other choices include:
-Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob’s ladder) – This plant has airy clusters of blue or violet flowers and fern-like foliage. It grows best in partial shade and reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet.
-Sisyrinchium angustifolium – This plant has blue or violet flowers and grass-like leaves. It grows best in full sun or partial shade and reaches a height of 12 to 18 inches.
-Viola sororia (Common blue violet) – This plant has deep blue or purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves. It is best suited for growth in partial shade and reaches a height of 6 to 8 inches.
Planting and Caring for Blue Perennial Flowers
Perennial flowers are a gardener’s dream come true: flowers that bloom year after year with very little effort on your part. And what could be more cheerful than a summer full of blue blooms? The plants in this article are all selected for their ability to bloom all summer long with little care from you. So read on for tips on planting and caring for blue perennial flowers.
Planting
Choose a location for your blue perennial flowers that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Blue perennial flowers need well-drained soil and require little fertilizer. If you are planting your blue perennial flowers in pots, use a potting mix specifically designed for flowering plants.
To plant your blue perennial flowers, dig a hole that is twice the width of the plant’s root ball and just as deep. Loosen the roots of the plant before placing it in the hole. Fill in the hole with soil, tamping it down gently as you go. Water the plant thoroughly.
Caring for
When it comes to gardening, perennials are one of the best investments you can make. They come back year after year, and their blooms just keep getting better. But even the most carefree perennials need a little TLC from time to time. Follow these tips from The Spruce and your perennial garden will be the envy of your neighborhood.
First, a word about planting: When you’re putting new plants in the ground, make sure they’re getting enough sun—most blue perennials need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. And while you’re at it, loosen the roots of your plants before you plant them. This will help them get established more quickly in their new home.
Once your plants are in the ground, water them well—especially during their first growing season. As they become established, they’ll need less water, but they’ll still appreciate a good drink every now and again—especially during dry spells.
And speaking of dry spells, one of the best ways to protect your plants during hot weather is to mulch around them. This will help keep the roots cool and prevent moisture loss. Just be sure to pull back the mulch when cold weather arrives—otherwise, your plants could rot.
Finally, don’t forget to fertilize your flowers every few weeks during their blooming season. A combination of organic compost and slow-release fertilizer will give them the nutrients they need to produce those beautiful blooms all summer long.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing blue perennial flowers is an important part of their care. They need to be fertilized in early spring, before they start to bloom. A general-purpose fertilizer will work fine. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer, which will last longer and need to be applied less often. If you use a fertilizer with too much nitrogen, it will encourage the plants to produce lots of leaves but not many flowers.
Pests and Diseases of Blue Perennial Flowers
Perennial blue flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden. They are easy to care for and will bloom all summer long with proper care. However, blue perennial flowers can be susceptible to pests and diseases. In this article, we will discuss the pests and diseases that can affect blue perennial flowers.
Pests
Pests and diseases can affect any type of plant, including blue perennial flowers. While most problems can be controlled with the use of pesticides and fungicides, some pests and diseases are more difficult to control. Here is a list of some common pests and diseases that can affect blue perennial flowers:
-Aphids: These tiny pests suck the sap from plants, causing stunted growth and distorted leaves. Aphids can also transmit viruses from one plant to another. To control aphids, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
-Cabbage loopers: The caterpillars of the cabbage looper moth feed on the leaves of many types of plants, causing them to become ragged and tattered. Hand-pick caterpillars from plants or use Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) to control them.
-Earwigs: These elongated, black insects damage plants by eating holes in the leaves. Earwigs can be controlled by setting out traps baited with beer or soapy water.
-Japanese beetles: These shiny, copper-colored beetles feast on the leaves of many types of plants, causing them to become skeletonized. Japanese beetles can be controlled with the use of traps or by applying chemicals such as carbaryl or trichlorfon.
-Slugs and snails: These slimy pests consume the leaves of many types of plants as they move along the ground. Slugs and snails can be controlled with baited traps orby using chemicals such as metaldehyde or methiocarb.
Diseases
While most blue perennial flowers are relatively disease resistant, there are a few fungal diseases that can cause problems. Powdery mildew is a white or gray powdery fungus that appears on the leaves of infected plants. Mildews are especially prevalent in hot, dry weather and can result in stunted growth and reduced flowering. Downy mildew is another fungal disease that affects blue perennials. This disease is characterized by fuzzy gray or white growth on the undersides of leaves. Downy mildew often results in distorted or discolored foliage, and in severe cases, it can cause flower buds to drop off before they open.
